The Empress Who Divorced Her Husband Was So Arrogant
The meaning in the Empress’s words was chillingly clear: if anyone present tipped off the rebels, there would be only one outcome – death, not just for them but for their entire clans. Everyone knew, with absolute certainty, that the woman before them would not hesitate to carry out her threat.
Who would dare to do such a thing?
Prime Minister Sima Qingyun calmly lowered his head and inquired, “Your Majesty, whom do you intend to assign this crucial task?”
This imperial envoy role was no easy feat; a single misstep could invite a swift and brutal end. Therefore, several individuals present were reluctant to accept such a responsibility.
Shangguan Yin surveyed the assembly, about to speak, when Yun Xiao’s clear voice cut through the silence, “I shall take on the role of imperial envoy and proceed to Guangning City with great fanfare.”
This declaration stunned not only the ministers but also the Emperor himself. The Empress was, after all, carrying the imperial heir. To venture into the turbulent Guangning City was a risk of unimaginable consequence. Who would bear responsibility if anything were to happen?
Shangguan Yin’s voice deepened, “Absolutely not. I will dispatch someone else for this mission.”
Yun Xiao straightened her posture abruptly, her piercing gaze fixed on Shangguan Yin. “Your Majesty, who else do you believe is better suited for this task than I? Do not forget, the policy of suppressing commerce to aid agriculture was my proposal. I wish for Your Majesty to grant my request. To expose Ye Jingyi’s true face, only I possess the weight to achieve this; others may not even draw him out.”
Yun Xiao spoke with undeniable logic. Everyone present understood that, apart from the Empress, no one else held such influence. When Ye Jingyi had previously posed as emperor, he had harbored ill intentions towards the Empress. If he learned that the Empress was heading to Guangning, he would undoubtedly reveal his true colors.
However, Shangguan Yin would not yield. His expression remained stern as he firmly stated, “I will go to Guangning City.”
To their astonishment, both the Emperor and the Empress vied to go to Guangning City. The assembled officials exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, Prince Shangguan stepped forward and calmly declared, “Your Majesty, allow me, your brother, to proceed to Guangning City.”
Yun Xiao shot him a glare and vehemently refused, her voice ringing out, “What I, this Empress, wish to do, no one can prevent. Try and stop me if you dare. Even without the title of imperial envoy, I will make the journey to Guangning City.”
Her words fell, and both Shangguan Yin and the ministers fell silent. Everyone was well aware of the Empress’s unyielding nature; once her mind was made up, she would undoubtedly act. If she were to proceed in secret, it would be better to grant her the official title of envoy. Yet, Shangguan Yin could not bring himself to entrust her safety to fate. Finally, his expression softened as he spoke,
“I hereby appoint the Empress as the imperial envoy for this mission to Guangning.”
Upon Shangguan Yin’s declaration, the officials responded in unison, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“General Yuchi, take a thousand elite soldiers to protect the Empress.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Yuchi Jun accepted the decree. Shangguan Yin then glanced at Shangguan Lin and commanded in a low voice, “Prince Lin, heed my decree.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“From this day forward, Prince Lin shall manage state affairs on my behalf, with Yun Hei and Sima Qingyun providing assistance.”
“Your subjects obey.”
The three stepped forward to receive the decree, but a flicker of doubt crossed their faces. Prince Lin could not help but look up at his Emperor brother, “Your Majesty, what is this?”
“I have decided to accompany the Empress to Guangning City.”
Shangguan Yin’s pronouncement was met with immediate opposition from Yun Xiao and several ministers. The Emperor, the very treasure of the nation, could not possibly venture to Guangning City. If Ye Jingyi learned of this, he might unleash his deadly wrath. “Your Majesty, this is absolutely not permissible! Your subjects implore you to revoke this imperial decree!”
The officials promptly knelt, their heads bowed. Even Yun Xiao anxiously stood up. Shangguan Yin gently clasped her hand, offering her a knowing smile.
He would not let her go to Guangning City alone. The court was now stable, and he trusted Prince Lin to manage affairs. He had to protect her and their child.
“My decision is made. However, my movements are not to be disclosed. It will be announced that I am ill.”
At that moment, everyone understood. The Emperor intended to remain by the Empress’s side, safeguarding her. The Emperor’s martial arts prowess was unfathomably deep, beyond anyone’s imagination. With him concealed by the Empress’s side, she would surely be safe. As for the affairs of the court, with Prince Lin, Prince Yun, and Prime Minister Sima, there should be no issues. Thus, everyone accepted the arrangement.
“Tomorrow, the imperial envoy shall depart for Guangning City. You are all dismissed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The officials collectively withdrew. In the imperial study, Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin exchanged glances, their eyes filled with tender affection as they shared wine.
Shangguan Yin reached out and drew Yun Xiao onto his lap, speaking softly, “I cannot rest easy about you and the child. Let us journey to Guangning City together, and we shall capture that traitor Ye Jingyi.”
“Alright.”
Yun Xiao leaned against Shangguan Yin’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Her own heart rippled like calm waves, filled with happiness.
The following day, Yun Xiao, bearing the title of imperial envoy, departed with several escorts. Shangguan Yin, disguised as an ordinary man, followed closely behind, heading towards Guangning City.
General Yuchi Jun led a thousand elite soldiers, protecting the Empress, with the Emperor hidden amongst the guards.
The grand procession moved towards Guangning, unhindered, day and night. They would reach Guangning in just three days.
Unexpectedly, during one of these nights, they were ambushed by masked assailants. The leader was a man wearing a mask, revealing a pair of deep, bloodthirsty eyes, as he directed his men to surround their party.
The attackers moved with remarkable order, clearly trained warriors with exceptional fighting skills. However, their own retinue was also comprised of elite soldiers, leading to a fierce engagement. Eventually, Shangguan Yin stepped forward to confront the masked leader. Outmatched, the assailant fled amidst the chaos.
This attacker was undoubtedly someone hidden behind the scenes in Guangning City. Who was he?
Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin, seated within the carriage, exchanged looks. Dozens of their men had been injured. Shangguan Yin ordered a contingent of men to escort the wounded back to the capital for treatment, while the remaining forces continued their journey to Guangning City.
“Murong, could it be Ye Jingyi?”
Shangguan Yin nodded in agreement, but both were perplexed. Why had Ye Jingyi’s martial arts recovered, and why were his skills so formidable? He had, after all, been given a martial arts-dissolving pill.
“But how did his martial arts recover so quickly?” Yun Xiao frowned, her suspicion evident.
Shangguan Yin spoke in a low tone, “When I sparred with him just now, I found his martial arts to be incredibly sinister, as if he had cultivated some dark and wicked techniques.”
“It seems so. Since he escaped, he must have returned to Guangning City. We must be cautious.”
“Mm.”
Shangguan Yin embraced Yun Xiao, speaking softly, “You should get some sleep. Don’t overthink it. The child is what’s important.”
Yun Xiao rested in his embrace, a question surfacing that she always forgot to ask.
“Murong, I want to ask you a question. Between me and the child, who is more important?”
Shangguan Yin couldn’t help but laugh at the typically intelligent Miss Yun asking such a childish question. His ordinary face was illuminated by the brilliant, captivating sparkle in his eyes. Gazing at her with a playful smile, he reached out and pinched her delicate nose.
“That’s like asking whether the chicken or the egg is more important. Without the chicken, where would the egg come from?”
After speaking, Shangguan Yin held her close and closed his eyes. Yun Xiao pondered his words, then murmured, “Does that mean I’m more important than the child? Honestly, couldn’t you just say it directly?”
She, too, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Within the carriage, the night breeze blew, cool and refreshing.